Bus Trip Likely Illegal, Neighbor Plans Petition Over Wadsworth Falls

As state officials considered the appropriate action amid the wake of growing complaints over vandalism and overcrowding at Wadsworth Falls in Middlefield, it became more clear Monday that neighbors' impatience was growing.

One neighbor told Patch that she planned to start a petition demanding an immediate closure of the park to stem the flow of weekend visitors which she said had gotten out of control.

"I see no other choice," she said.

Another local resident told the Middletown Press,“It’s a tragedy what the guests are doing to the river and to the neighbors.”

On Monday afternoon, Middlefield first selectman Jon Brayshaw said he was working with the state and had offered a handful of suggestions to address some of the concerns of neighbors, including possibly closing the park temporarily.

"I think it’s appropriate that we give them some time to figure it out,” Brayshaw said of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “They’re dealing with a hundred state parks.”

The popularity of the scenic waterfall on Cherry Hill Road has grown in recent years although the spike in attendance isn't easy to explain, Brayshaw said. With the increase in visitors, the park has seen an increase in garbage, noise and illegal activity.

The DEEP spends a significant amount of time cleaning the park, an official recently told Patch, and over the Fourth of July holiday weekend police handed out 77 parking tickets, each a $92 fine.

Brayshaw said the state was in the process of reviewing the deed to the property which was left by Col. Clarence Wadsworth to the Rockfall Foundation, which turned it over to the state in the 1940's, to determine what uses may or may not be permitted.

Town and state officials, including Middlefield Sen. Dante Bartolomeo and Rep. Buddy Altobello, met last week with DEEP officials to discuss the situation.

Other ideas being considered include a ban on alcohol at the state park which is currently permitted, a parking time limit and enforcement of a no swimming policy which stopped in 2011.

Similar complaints last year led to the installation of portable toilets at the waterfall.

Parking a Major Concern

Some neighbors believe parking to be the leading cause of the overcrowding at the state park.

On Sunday morning, a charter bus with New York license plates arrived at the park with as many as 60 passengers. The passengers remained at the park until the early evening, neighbors said.

According to the state's website, however, buses are not permitted at Wadsworth Falls during the weekend or holidays. In addition, reservations for such trips must be made no later than two weeks prior to arrival and a $150 permit fee is charged.

A DEEP employee said Monday there was no record of such a permit for Wadsworth Falls.

Neighbors have also expressed their frustration over the decision by a local gas station owner and a neighbor to charge visitors to park on their property, for $10 and $5 per day.

Although Middlefield's zoning enforcement officer is away this week and could not be reached for comment, town planner Geoffrey Colegrove said it's likely that the parking situation will be looked at as it relates to current zoning regulations.

An employee with the state's Department of Revenue Services said Monday that any and all income derived from the parking "must be reported."

Recently the town installed "No Parking" signs along Derby Road and Elvira Drive to prevent visitors from parking in residential areas. Police said illegal parking has not been a problem as of late.

In addition, St. Colman Church has installed parking barriers at the entrances to the church's parking lot on weekends.